The fact of God's help from Olesya 23.05.2024

Dear fellow prayer warriors! I have been praying together with Bolgar for two years now, daily, with Akathists to the saints and to our Heavenly Mother, even when there is no special need. During this time, I have come to realize that living with prayer is an entirely different dimension and a completely new way of experiencing oneself in this world. I am grateful to Father Vladimir for his sermons and for everything he has given and continues to give to people—it is worth more than any earthly riches. The desire to live with God—there is nothing higher than this! Over these years, many changes and healings have taken place: my husband quit smoking after 45 years, our family has become churched, we have started going to church, and healings have occurred. We often stand in prayer with Bolgar as a family or take turns replacing one another. Now, life without prayer feels like life without air. Prayer is both refuge and protection, a true covering. In these difficult times, it even feels frightening to step outside without God. That’s why we say to one another, "Go with God," whenever someone leaves the house. At some point, I hope to write a long, detailed letter to Father Vladimir about everything that has happened to us over these years, but today, I want to share a miracle that occurred by the mercy and prayerful intercession of the Queen of Heaven, the Mother of God. A week ago, we moved to a new country, a non-Orthodox one. We were searching for a place to rent, of course, with prayer. We asked God, "Help us, Lord, may Your will be done!" And the Lord removed everything unnecessary and settled us not where we had planned, but according to His will—right next to a Russian Orthodox Church, just a three-minute walk away. I realized immediately that this was not a coincidence. On Sunday, we attended the Divine Liturgy. A chain of "random coincidences" led me, by evening, to be singing in the choir at the all-night vigil—in a large, professional choir! I had only been in this foreign country for a couple of days, and yet this happened! I should mention that I have basic musical training—I studied for seven years in a music school and sang in a choir—but I had never sung in a church choir before. The people there have years of experience, and yet I, with no experience at all, found myself there unexpectedly. And all of this (another "coincidence") happened on the Feast of the Nativity of the Most Holy Theotokos! I knew immediately—this was Her, Her hand, Her will. There is no other explanation. They told me in the choir, "There are no coincidences in the kliros—everyone is brought here by the Lord, hand in hand." I am certain that this event in my life is the covering and blessing of the Mother of God, Her heavenly gift and obedience for me. There is so much to say about the Mother of God and Her help. I will just mention that lately, I have strongly felt Her presence and assistance—I often experience warmth, as if roses are blooming in my soul after turning to Her in prayer. I pray to Her with special love, not only for my son and godchildren but for all children on Earth who need Her care. I feel how deeply She loves us—oh, how deeply! On Wednesdays, I pray all the Akathists to Her with special reverence—how could I not? She is the Heavenly Mother of us all, through Whose prayers unceasing mercy is poured out upon our fragile world. "It is truly meet to bless Thee, O Theotokos, ever-blessed and most pure, and the Mother of our God." I could not keep silent… This testimony is just a drop of the mercy that is poured out upon us. Lord, save us all!